Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a medical procedure carried out to look directly at the organs of a patient’s abdominal area or pelvic region. This procedure is usually carried out to identify the reasons of pain felt by the patient or to identify tumors or cancerous growth in the abdominal area and the pelvic region. When the results of X-rays or various imaging techniques are not conclusive then only usually diagnostic laparoscopy is performed.

How the procedure is performed?

This procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia when you sleep and do not feel any pain at all. At times, this procedure is done under local anesthesia also in which the area under investigation is only numbed and this allows the patient to be awake when the procedure is being carried out.
The surgeon makes a small incision near the naval and inserts catheter through this incision. Through this tube a laparoscope is inserted. Laparoscope is an instrument with a special camera on one end of a flexible tube and with the help of this instrument the surgeon visualizes the surgical site and examines the different organs. If any special instruments are to be inserted to conduct a detailed investigation more cuts are made in the belly and they are inserted in a similar way. Carbon dioxide is pumped into the cavity under investigation to expand it and make room for surgery and to give a clearer view of the organs during the surgery. After the examination the carbon dioxide gas, the laparoscope and other instruments are removed using the same holes through which they were allowed in. The incisions are closed either by suturing or stitching. Bandage will be provided over this incision for helping the healing process.

How will I feel?

If the surgery is done under general anesthesia you will not feel any pain. After some time you may feel throbbing and little pain near the cut area. Pain relievers prescribed by the surgeon will be enough for relief from the pain. If the surgery is done under local anesthesia you will feel burning sensation when local anesthesia is being administered. For a few days you may feel shoulder pain which is caused by the gas filled in the abdomen for surgical purpose. You may also feel increased sensation for urinating which is produced by the pressure exerted by carbon dioxide on the bladder. You will be lead to a recovery room where you will recover under nursing care. After overnight hospital stay you will be able to go home on the next day of the procedure.Normal results: Normal results will indicate that there is no hernias, no intestinal obstructions, no blood in the abdomen, no cancerous growth in the visible organs like fallopian tubes, ovaries etc and that they are of normal sizeAbnormal results: Existence of various conditions which includes appendicitis, adhesions, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, tumors, signs of cancer etc. is indicated in the abnormal results.